Every sculpture has a history. Some of this history can be captured in the original sketches created by the sculptor. Consider the sketch, by Alexander Calder, of the "mobile sculpture" titled "Vertical Out of Horizontal" Ask these questions as you look at this sketch:
Did the sculptor think before he created "Vertical Out of Horizontal"?
What "thinking evidence" do you see in this sketch?
How big is this sculpture? Prove your answer using the sketch.
Now look at the sculpture "Vertical Out of Horizontal". This is the sculpture Calder created from the sketch above. Compare the sketch to the sculpture to answer these questions:
What changes did Calder make to his sculpture after he completed his sketch?
Did Calder think his sketches had to be perfect? What evidence do you see for this?
Did Calder change his mind after he created his sketches? What evidence do you see for this?
Every sculpture has a history. Some of this history can be captured in the original sketches created by the sculptor. Consider the sketch, by Alexander Calder, of the "mobile sculpture" titled "Vertical Out of Horizontal" Ask these questions as you look at this sketch:
Did the sculptor think before he created "Vertical Out of Horizontal"?
What "thinking evidence" do you see in this sketch?
How big is this sculpture? Prove your answer using the sketch.
Alexander Calder design sketch for Vertical out of horizontal, circa 1950. Institute of Contemporary Arts records, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Retrieved January 25, 2013, from:
http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/images/detail/alexander-calder-design-sketch-vertical-out-horizontal-14877
Now look at the sculpture "Vertical Out of Horizontal". This is the sculpture Calder created from the sketch above. Compare the sketch to the sculpture to answer these questions:
What changes did Calder make to his sculpture after he completed his sketch?
Did Calder think his sketches had to be perfect? What evidence do you see for this?
Did Calder change his mind after he created his sketches? What evidence do you see for this?
Alexander Calder, (sculptor). (1948). Vertical out of Horizontal (sculpture), Retrieved January 25th, 2013, from:
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/calder/realsp/504f.htm
What did you learn about the history of "Vertical Out of Horizontal" by seeing the sketch for it?
What did you learn about the history of sculpture through this lesson?
What did you learn about the creation of outdoor sculpture through this lesson?
Just For Fun!
Mobile Sculpture on the Move:
Alexander Calder (sculptor). Le Rouge de Saché (sculpture), Retrieved January 25th, 2013, from:
http://www.christies.com/features/alexander-calder-le-rouge-de-sache-2286-3.aspx